The 1-day gorilla tour Rwanda is best for visitors with limited time yet interested in seeing mountain gorillas in the wild. This short Rwanda gorilla tour includes a gorilla trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park. This is a lifetime adventure experience and involves exploring any of the 12 habituated gorilla families.
The Rwanda gorilla families to trek while in Volcanoes NP include Hirwa gorilla group, Susa A, Sabyinyo gorilla group, Agashya, Umubano family, Amahoro, Karisimbi (Susa B), Pablo and Titus family. Volcanoes NP is situated in Musanze/Ruhengeri and is the most accessible park of all African gorilla tour parks.
Volcanoes NP was officially declared as one of the parks in Rwanda in 1925 and occupies the land area of 1925. The park supports diversity of animals including the black-fronted duikers, elephants, spotted hyenas, bushbucks, giant forest hogs, and 200 species of birds. Varied bird species to encounter at this park include several of endemic rift species in Albertine area. They include Kivu ground thrush, dusky crimson wing; Rwenzori doubled collared sunbird, Rwenzori turacos, francolins and more.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Depart Kigali for Volcanoes N/P, gorilla trek
With an experienced driver guide, set off from Kigali early to catch up with morning briefing about gorilla trekking guidelines at Kinigi offices of Volcanoes National Park. A road trip from Kigali to Volcanoes NP offices takes between 2 and 3 hours using a well-serviced vehicle. The park official present will take you through the safety measures to be followed on a guided gorilla trekking adventure.
Leave Kinigi offices for actual gorilla trek and this will be after you have been allocated gorilla families. Each day, a maximum of 8 visitors are allowed to track one habituated family with an experienced park guide accompanying all guests throughout the trek. Once a family of gorillas is located, you have one –hour for up close and personal moment with these great apes.
After, you will be led back to where you began your trek and relax a little. From here, you will continue back to Kigali capital and today marks the end of the 1 day trip.
End of tour
Tour Inclusions
- Valid Rwanda gorilla permit
- Ground travel by a 4×4 safari car
- An experienced park guide/driver
- Park entrance fees
- Bottled water
- Accommodation and meals
- Transport
Tour Exclusions
- Tips
- Souvenirs
- Beverages
- Cigars
- Travel Insurance
- Telephone bills
- Airfares
- Visas
- Valid passports
When is the best time to go visit gorillas in Rwanda?
The dry season is with no doubt the most favorable time to enjoy the best of Rwanda gorilla trekking experience. That is during the long dry months –June to September and or short dry months; December to February. Once you have idea of when to travel to the park to see gorillas, next should be ensuring you have the right gear.
The essentials for Rwanda gorilla tour include waterproof hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, a sweater, daypack, valid gorilla permits, long trousers, a shirt, a pair of gardening gloves, and a tin of insect repellent.